Let’s be honest. This year’s Super Bowl ads fell short of expectations for most. Sure, there were a few laughs. An arguably meaningful moment. But, for the most part, companies (and their agencies) seemed to miss the mark. Or, did they?
Super Bowl ads are a different ball game. There are different expectations. Different rules. Friends gather and expect to be entertained. Expect something they haven’t seen before. But, what did we get this year? We saw familiar characters thanks to E*Trade (Talking Babies), Career Builders (Monkeys), and Coke (Polar Bears). We saw nostalgic throw-backs thanks to Acura (Seinfeld), Honda (Ferris Bueller), and MetLife (Cartoons). And we saw the resurgence of what has been conveniently categorized as “sex”.
Go Daddy can’t seem to detach domains from bodies. H&M wants us to think their underwear will turn us a soccer-like physique. And Teleflora, well… they’re just straight-up selling sex.
So, here’s the question. Does it still work? Does sex sell? Do ad agencies know their audience(s)?










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